Between safaris, birthday parties and Traitors nights, Ireland skipper Erin King insists the squad is in South Africa for one thing: making history.
South Africa is the stage, and Ireland captain Erin King wants her side to treat it that way. The tourists have landed on African soil with a historic opportunity in front of them, and the skipper is clear that the job comes first.
The trip has not been all work. The squad has taken in safari experiences, celebrated a birthday and filled downtime with games of The Traitors. Those moments have helped the group bond far from home, and King sees real value in that.
Still, the message from the captain is simple: the sightseeing and the laughs are the backdrop, not the mission. Ireland did not travel across the world to be tourists. They came to test themselves against the Springboks in their own backyard, where the atmosphere and the stakes will be unlike anything at home.
For King, leading a team into South Africa with history on offer is a defining moment. Balancing a relaxed, tight-knit camp with a sharp competitive edge is the challenge, and the Irish skipper looks ready for it. Now the talking stops and the rugby begins.
